Container coupler



DeC- 26, 1967 A. F. HULVERSON ETAI. 3,359,605

CONTA INER COUPLER TORS Filed Oct. 23, 1965 United States Patent Oce Patented Dec. 26,` 1967 3,359,605 CONTAINER COUPLER Adrian F. Hulverson, Grosse Pointe Woods, and John M. Bailey, Mount Clemens, Mich., assignors to Frilehauf Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Oct. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,811 1 Claim. (Cl. 24-211) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE The invention relates to a container coupler of cylindrical configuration having an annular groove on the outer periphery thereof for the acceptance of a complementary U-shaped locking member. The locking member is receivable in a complementary recess in the container so as to locate the coupler relative to the container. The coupler is positioned so as to transfer both axial and lateral loads relative to the container.

This invention relates generally to shipping containers and more particularly to an improved coupler for securing a pair of modular shipping containers to one another for handling as a unit.

The significant success of containerized shipping has led to the development of containers of modular size compatible with one another and with existing transportation facilities, for example, heavy duty over-theroad semi-trailers, ships, railcars, aircraft, etc. Because such containers are of modular configuration, it is often desired to secure several relatively small containers together to form a larger unit capable of being handled at one time by a spreader bar, hoist, or the like. Thus, there has developed a need for an improved container coupler capable of withstanding the relatively heavy loads encountered in securing a pair of loaded shipping containers to one another.

Accordingly, one object of the instant invention is an improved container coupler.

Another object is a container coupler that is easily and rapidly connected to a shipping container.

Another object is a container coupler having provision for take-up of any slack in the coupling mechanism.

Another object is a container coupler that is compatible with existing standardized container constructions.

Other objects and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent in the following specification, claim and drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side view of a pair of shipping containers coupled to one another for shipment as a unit;

FIG. 2 is a view taken within the circle 2 of FIGURE 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 3 of FIGURE 2; and

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIGURE 2.

An improved container coupler, in accordance with the instant invention, comprises a cylindrical member having conical nose portions insertable into complementary apertures in the corner castings of aligned shipping containers. The container coupler is secured within the corner castings by U-shaped locks which in turn are secured by a conventional safety pin.

As seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, a pair of shipping containers and 12 are secured to one another by a pair of container couplers 14. The couplers 14 extend into complementary corner castings 16 on the containers 10.

The corner castings 16 are of conventional construction and of a configuration that has been standardized by the transportation industry. As best seen in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, each corner casting 16 has an aperture 18 in an end Wall thereof communicating with a central cavity 20. Each container corner casting 16 has a laterally extending slot 22 for the acceptance of a generally U-shaped locking member, as will be described. Each corner casting 16 also has an aperture 24 therein opening downwardly, as seen in FIGURE 2 of the drawings to facilitate attachment of the -shipping container 10 to a load carrying support, for example, an over-the-road highway trailer or railcar.

In accordance with the instant invention, each container coupler 14 comprises a threaded shank portion 26 having oppositely directed generally conical nose portions 28 and 30. A pair of bearing portions 32 and 34 are disposed between the shank portion 26 and the nose portions 28 and 30, respectively, complementary to the apertures 18 in the corner castings 16 for the transfer of shear loads.

The bearing portions 32 and 34 adjacent the nose portions 28 and 30, respectively, have annular groove portions 40 and 42 for the acceptance of a pair of generally U-shaped locking members 46.

As best seen in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, each of the locking members 46 comprises a bight portion 4S and leg portions 50 and 52. The leg portions 50 and 52 are insertable through the slots 22 in the corner castings 16 into engagement with the complementary annular grooves 40 and 42.

As best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings, the shank portion 26 of the container coupler 14 is threaded for the reception of a pair of collars 60 and 62. The col-- lars 60 and 62 are rotatable and axially advanceable relative to the shank portion 26 so as to take up slack between locking members 46 and the corner castings 16. The collars 60 and 62 are rotatable as by a conventional spanner wrench that is engageable with complementary notches in the collars.

As best seen in FIGURE 3, the locking members 46 are secured within the corner castings 16 by complementary safety pins 70, which extend through complementary bores 72 in the castings 16. A conventional ball detent 74 is provided to preclude accidental retraction of the safety pin 70.

From the foregoing description it should be apparent that the container coupler of the instant invention is relatively simple in construction, is quickly engageable with a shipping container, provides for slack take-up and is capable of handling the relatively heavy loads encountered in coupling shipping containers.

It is to be understood that the specific construction of the improved container coupler herein disclosed and described is presented for the purpose of explanation and illustration and is not intended to indicate limits of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the following claim.

What is claimed is:

A coupler for shipping containers having circular coupler receiving apertures in the walls thereof said coupler comprising a threaded cylindrical shank portion having generally conical nose Iportions at opposite ends thereof,

a pair of cylindrical bearing portions between the threaded portion of said coupler and said nose portions, respectively, the diameter of said bearing portions being complementary to the apertures in the walls of said container so as to be acceptable therein in load transfer relationship,

a pair of annular grooves in said bearing portions, re-

spectively,

a pair of generally U-shaped locking members having bight portions and spaced leg portions, respectively, the spacing of the leg portions of said locking members being complementary to the diameter of the ancontainers, respectively, for taking up slack between n'ular grooves in the bearing portions of said coupler the containers, couplers and locking members, and so as to be receivable therein in axial load transfer means for securing said locking members in the lockrelationship in opposite directions relative tothe cening member apertures in said containers.

tral axis of said coupler, 5

said locking members being receivable in locking mem- References Cited ber apertures in said containers, respectively, said UNITED STATES PATENTS locking member apertures extending normally to the Y 2,390,479 12/1945 Watson et aL 108%4 X coupler accepting apertures for the reception of said locking members in axial load transfer relationship 10 BOBBY R GAY, primary Examinw relative to the central axis 0f said coupler, a pair of collars threadably received on the shank por- WILLIAM FELDMAN Emmme' tion of said coupler and advanceable against said E. SIMONSEN, Assistant Examiner. 

